Professor Ho-Won Jeong
George Mason University
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
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Self-Determination

The quest for self-determination is not just a political ideal to be invoked in times of danger but the unchangeable aspiration of an individual human being.

The Basis of Claims for Self-Determination

Determining who is entitled to self-determination includes both subjective and objective components.

Historical traditions, common culture and ideology are used to support claims for autonomy and independence.

Self-determination has both internal and external dimensions.

Democratic Ideals and States

'Self-determination, from its first enunciation as an international norm, has been chained uneasily to the state-protective ideas of national unity and territorial integrity'.

State and National Boundaries

National identity is developed by a sense of political community that shares common institutions and a single code of rights and duties for its members. A state has an international legal status with sovereignty that allows exercising exclusive control over a population within territorial boundaries.

Multi-Ethnic States

Many multi-ethnic states turn out to be a breeding ground for growth of nationalistic manifestations.

Methods for Reducing Inter-group Tension

The concerns of minority groups can be addressed by the creation of new territorial boundaries, greater access to decision-making, distributive economic policies

Territorial Arrangements
Territorial arrangement can be made through secession, partition or integration with neighboring states.

Regional autonomy and Federalism

Power Sharing and Consociationalism

Distributive Policies and Cultural Plurality

Disucssion Questions: Self-Determination

Are human rights the same as self-determination? You might consider the
question in the context of group rights vs. individual rights.

What is the meaning of self-determination at individual and group levels?
What does self-determination symbolize for individuals? Is
self-determination important for fulfillment of a good life?

How would you link self-determination to group identity?

Are state and national boundaries the same?

How could we guarantee autonomy of minorities and indigenous peoples?

Self-determination is understood in terms of practice and policies which
manage inter-ethnic rivalries. What kinds of institutional mechanisms are
needed for multi-ethnic polities?

What are the conditions faced by indigenous populations worldwide?

How will you apply the principles of self-determination to conflict
resolution and peace building?